Sam, can I get your help with Mums birthday present?
Charlotte put her phone down and turned to her husband, who was sprawled out across the sofa, idly flicking through channels with the TV remote. Sam barely glanced up from the screen.
What present now? he asked.
A cooker. A decent one. Her birthdays in two weeks, have you forgotten?
Sam finally bothered to look at his wife. For a split second, she saw the irritation in his eyes, but it disappeared behind his familiar, polite smile.
Isnt the old one still working? Looks alright to me.
Charlotte perched on the arm of the sofa, instinctively smoothing out a crease in her pyjamas.
You saw it the last time you were there. The oven barely heats up, two hobs are dead. Mum keeps moaning that her sponge cakes dont come out like they used to. It really matters to her, you know.
…Susan Evans absolutely loved baking. Her kitchen always smelt of vanilla and cinnamon, cooling scones lined up on the windowsill, neighbours popping in for a chat but never escaping without a treat. Her elderly cooker, bought before Margaret Thatcher ever set foot in Downing Street, had been spluttering its final breaths for months.
Alright, Sam stretched and sat up straighter. So what do you need me to do?
I want you to pick out a proper model. Youre better with gadgets than me. Can you pop into Currys, have a look, and sort out delivery? Ive got so much going on at work right now, I just cant squeeze it in.
Charlotte rummaged in her bag and handed him her bank card, its navy plastic catching the lamplight.
Theres my bonus on it, just over £650. That should easily cover a good one, right?
Sam turned the card over in his fingers, lips twitching as if he might smile.
Plenty. Ill sort it all. Dont worry.
Charlotte nodded. After five years of marriage, shed got used to leaving these sorts of things to Sam. He was good at playing the system, grabbing deals, wrangling extras. If anyone could do it, it was him.
Just dont drag your feet, okay? I want it here for Mums birthday.
Will do, Sam slid the card into his joggers and reached for the remote again.
A week drifted by. Charlotte was squeezed on the Number 49 bus home when she thought to check her bank app. Her thumb glided over her phone, tapping her way through the balance.
Card payment: £650.
Charlotte smiled at the numbers. Sam hadnt let her down. £650 was a serious chunk of cashhe probably got something fancy, maybe with a grill and a timer and one of those slide-out doors her Mum had always dreamed of. Susan could bake her legendary Victoria sponges without worrying the oven would quit halfway through.
Charlotte pictured Mums face. Her eyes would crinkle with happiness, lips trembling, and then Susan would inevitably say, Oh, love, you shouldnt have gone to such expense! while instantly planning which cake shed try first.
Good appliances last ages. Charlotte remembered her gran going on about her AGA that worked for thirty years without missing a beat. Modern gears are different, sure, but if you dont scrimp on quality, they pay for themselves.
Mums birthday fell on a Saturday. Charlotte buzzed around the flat, fussing over a bouquet and wrapping the smaller bits shed picked out to go alongside the main event. Sam shuffled round, glancing at the clock like he was waiting for something.
Dont forget the envelope, Charlotte reminded him, pulling on her boots. You put the warranty details in there?
All sorted, Sam patted his jackets inside pocket.
They arrived at Susans just before noon. The flat was filled with the comforting smell of bakingeven with her grumpy stove, Mum had managed something delicious. Relatives packed the hallway, wine glasses chimed, and laughter spilled from the living room.
Charlotte gave her mum a proper hug.
Happy birthday, Mum. This is for you.
She handed over a thick cream-coloured envelope shed taken from Sam on the way. She hadnt peeked insidewhy would she? Sam had handled everything, now it was just the handing over.
Susans face lit up.
Oh, you two, really! She broke the envelopes seal with a pink fingernail, eyes glinting with anticipation.
Charlotte watched with a warm smile. One moment, two. Suddenly, Susans expression stopped. The grin faded into bewilderment.
Er Whats this?
Charlotte frowned and leaned closer. She peered over her mothers shoulder.
A gift card. Boots. £30.
Thirty quid.
Sam, Charlotte spun round. He was already edging toward the door. Whats this?
Ah, come on, he tossed her a half-hearted grin, avoiding her eyes. Its a great voucher, their beauty stuff is top notch
What about the cooker?!
He didnt reply, just hurried over to the balcony, ducked out, and shut the door behind him.
Charlotte stomped after him, yanking open the door so hard it rattled.
Explain. Now!
Sam was wedged up against the railings.
Listen, Sophies run ragged at work, she just needed a break I couldnt
What break? Whos Sophie? Charlotte stepped forward, her eyes blazing. I gave you the money for my mums cooker!
There was a last-minute deal, he stammered. Five hundred and seventy quid, all inclusive to Cyprus it wouldve expired, you get it, right?
Charlotte snatched his phone from his pocket before he could stop her. She flicked rapidly through his messages. There it wasthe thread with the travel agent. Dates, prices, giddy texts from Sophie with heart emojis.
Best brother ever! Thank yooou! Flying Friday!
Charlotte looked up. Sam seemed to shrink.
Without a word, Charlotte dialled the travel office.
Hello, Horizon Travel, Ella speaking, how can I help?
Hi. Theres a booking under Sophie Evans, Cyprus, flying Friday. I want it cancelled.
Sorry, may I ask whos calling?
Im the owner of the card used for payment. The transaction was made without my permission.
Sam lunged forward, but Charlotte raised her hand. Stop.
One moment, the woman replied formally. Yes, found it. In this situation, youll need to pop in to our office and well sort it. The refund will come through within ten working days.
Thank you. Ill be there tomorrow.
Charlotte tossed the phone to Sam.
Char, dont be like this. Lets talk
She was gone already. She walked through the living room, where everyone seemed deeply into their salads, and found her mum clutching the useless voucher.
Mum, come on. Lets go get you a proper present.
Susan didnt protest. She pulled on her coat, grabbed her bag, and quietly followed Charlotte out, leaving the party behind without a second thought.
The appliance shop smelt of brand new plastic and metal. The consultanta lad called Ben, barely 25, badge glintingcarefully explained the difference between all the models.
That ones the best, he pointed at a sleek white cooker. Absolutely ideal for baking. Even heat, built-in timer, grill, convection fan.
Susan stroked the smooth panelling.
Its beautiful, she whispered.
Well take it, Charlotte nodded. Can you deliver tomorrow morning?
The early slots free. Between nine and twelve.
The paperwork took fifteen minutes. Susan didnt say much on the way home, but at the door she gently squeezed Charlottes arm.
Thank you, darling. But I worry about you.
Dont, Mum.
He, Sam, you two
Charlotte wrapped her arm around her mum.
Ill sort it. Not today. Just enjoy your birthday.
Charlotte got home after dark. Sam was sat in the gloom, TV off.
We need to talk, he started, rising.
Charlotte brushed past, opened the wardrobe, and began gathering his shirts, folding them into his travel bag.
What are you doing? Sam panicked. Char, stop this! I just wanted to help my sister, shes been working herself to the bone, it was her only chance for a break!
Jeans, t-shirts, socks. Charlotte methodically cleared the shelf.
Youre tearing us apart over a cooker! Itll be your fault!
She paused. Turned to him slowly.
I trusted you with the money I earned. I asked you to buy my mum a present. Instead, you spent it all on your sister!
Spents a bit strong
You didnt even ask! You decided for me! You LIED, Sam!
He reached out, tried to hug her. Charlotte dodged, holding his jumper between them.
Dont touch me!
Sophie was struggling
Take your stuff and go.
…A month later, Charlotte was sitting in Susans kitchen. The gleaming cooker shone in the corner, oven humming away, filling the flat with the smell of freshly-baked vanilla cake.
Guess whatI signed up for pastry classes! Susan was glowing. Our neighbour Gill recommended them, theres a real French bakery chef teaching!
Charlotte took a bite of cake. The buttercream melted on her tongue.
Its divine, Mum. Pure heaven.
…The divorce papers went through quicklyno fuss, no drama. Sam never quite grasped why Charlotte couldnt forgive his little mishap. Sophie went on holiday with her own savingsor didnt, Charlotte couldnt care less.
She watched Susan bustling around the new cooker, happy and absorbed. Twilight flickered outside. A new chapter was waitinga life without lies, without betrayal, without someone who treated your money and your trust like they were disposable.
Charlotte smiled and reached for a second slice. Why not, eh?
